◉ HEADLINES

Unwelcome decision: Nurul Izzah pans Azam Baki’s reappointment as MACC chief

PKR deputy president candidate warns repeated extensions threaten hopes for institutional reform

10:00 PM MYT

 

KUALA LUMPUR – PKR vice-president hopeful Nurul Izzah Anwar has expressed her disapproval over Tan Sri Azam Baki’s reappointment as Chief Commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), calling it an “unwelcome” decision.

In a statement posted on X, Nurul Izzah said extensions of this nature make it difficult to implement deep, meaningful changes within key national bodies.

“This was an unwelcome extension. The party needs to stand for reforms – and we require the support of the rakyat and our members in order to do this.”

She added that real change would require bold and progressive choices from all levels of leadership, including civil servants and party members.

“We ask brave and courageous civil servants and personalities to rise to the occasion,” she said.

Azam’s reappointment for another year, from May 13, 2025 to May 12, 2026, was announced by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, who said the decision had received the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim.

The 62-year-old was first appointed to the role on March 9, 2020, following the early resignation of Latheefa Koya.

Since then, he has been reappointed on a yearly basis, with previous terms running from May 2023 to May 2024 and from May 2024 to May 2025.

While Nurul Izzah made no comment on the earlier renewals, her statement comes as she builds momentum ahead of the PKR internal elections, where she is expected to challenge Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli for the party’s number two post. – May 10, 2025

Topics

 

◉ Popular

It’s not Big Tobacco, but Big Pharma that’s behind vape ban push: industry leader

Move president warns of harm to public health and legal vape industry if proposed nationwide ban goes ahead

What will we call for next? A ban on cheap cigarettes, tuak and kapcais? – Rocky Bru

While concerns over drug-laced vapes grow, a blanket ban could backfire by wiping out businesses, threatening jobs, pushing trade underground amid weak enforcement and open tank loopholes

Govt to raise alcohol excise duty by 10% from November 2025, tobacco taxes also up: Anwar

Prime Minister says the move, announced under Budget 2026, aims to promote healthier lifestyles and reduce access to alcohol and tobacco, with additional revenue channelled to the Health Ministry

◉ Related